THE body of a 20-year-old Bromyard man has been recovered from a flooded quarry following a four-hour operation by a specialist diving team from South Wales.

The man has been identified as Paul Probert, who lived near to the quarry, at the Open Fields Caravan site.

PC Tony French, of Hereford Police said: "It was reported that a 20-year-old male fisherman had entered the water and had got into difficulties."

Police believe that Mr Probert may have been trying to retrieve tackle while fishing the deep quarry behind the Linton Trading Estate, off the Worcester Road, on Tuesday (May 2).

Fire crews from Bromyard and Droitwich provided lighting for the search, which ended with the discovery of his body at around 11pm.

Mr Probert was pronounced dead at the A&E Department of Hereford General Hospital.

Sgt Peter Gebbie, of West Mercia Constabulary, said: "Police inquiries are continuing to be conducted on behalf of the coroner."

A spokesman for Hereford Coroner's Office said an inquest would be opened today (Friday) for the purposes of identification at its base in Bridge Street, Hereford.